The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday, May 25, on a resolution to apologize to Native peoples for "official depredations and ill-conceived policies" of the United States.

Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) introduced S.J.Res.15 last month. He said the apology will not cure all problems facing Indian Country but will start a much-needed healing process.

"It is time -- it is past time -- for us to heal our land of division, all divisions, and bring us together as one people," he said on the Senate floor on April 20.

The resolution was considered last year and was cleared by the committee. It never made it to a floor vote, however.

A similar resolution was introduced in the House on January 4, 2005, by Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-Virginia).

Relevant Documents:
Sen. Sam Brownback Statement | Text of S.J.Res.15 [As introduced] | H.J.Res.3

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